In case you were unaware, soccer is having a big moment in the U.S. right now. With impressionable young fans like Saint West adding Premiere League kits to their wardrobe, and the game’s undisputed G.O.A.T. Lionel Messi bringing all the stars out for his MLS debut, the world’s game is seeing a spike in American popularity.
With all other major leagues currently in their offseason, the spotlight is shining bright on the premier American soccer league, bringing attention to a number of storied U.S. franchises, and none more than the LA Galaxy.
As one of the ten charter teams for MLS, the iconic Los Angeles football club has played an integral role in shaping how we interact with the game here in the States. From the shocking signing of a prime David Beckham in 2007 to being the most decorated franchise in MLS history, the LA Galaxy is the seminal organization that has elevated a young league onto the world stage, effectively raising the standard of MLS and American soccer worldwide.
Embracing the team's profound connection to American soccer culture and the city of Los Angeles, the renowned organization teamed up with the LA-based streetwear brand MENACE for a special clothing capsule honoring its pervasive impact on a larger scale.
“The product and collaboration with MENACE is a perfect marriage of soccer and streetwear in Los Angeles,” says Will Misselbrook, Chief Creative & Content Office for the LA Galaxy. “We have been working on this project for over a year now, and we’re thrilled to finally share it with the fans.”
Consisting of seven distinct pieces, ranging from staple t-shirts and sweatpants to bespoke sweatshirts and varsity jackets, LA Galaxy x MENACE blends the dynamic soul of the city with the team's classic iconography, highlighting aspects of the vibrant sub-cultures that make Los Angeles a recognized destination across the globe.
Established in 2013, MENACE embodies the grittier side of Hollywood, revealing the city's raw and authentic essence beyond the glitz and glamor. Championing the underrepresented and the overlooked, the evocative brand shares the story of everything and everyone that makes up the real LA, a sentiment the Galaxy echoes.
“It’s an honor to have the LA Galaxy organization put their trust in a Latino kid from Southeast LA to tell the story of the most storied franchise in league history,” shares MENACE Founder Steven Mena. “The Galaxy has set the tone for what an MLS organization should strive for, and I hope our MENACE collaboration does the same for the projects that come after us.”
To celebrate the launch of the inspired collection, LA Galaxy x MENACE hosted an event that reflected the meaningful nature of the collaboration. In the heart of downtown Los Angeles, guests were immersed in a space where sport, culture, and fashion combined to create a cohesive world, underscoring the crossover of two staple L.A. brands.
Hosted at the novel event space The Hill, a litany of high-profile attendees like UFC athlete Brian Ortega, artist Manuela Soto Sosa, basketball skills trainer turned social media star Chris Matthews (a.k.a Lethal Shooter), and the Galaxy's own Raheem Edwards and Chris Mavinga filed into the exhibition for a look at the paralleled history of the celebrated soccer club and streetwear brand.
Observing the sartorial evolution of both the LA Galaxy and MENACE that was on display, those in attendance had a first-hand look at the origin of both brands and how the esteemed aesthetic of each developed over time to the point where the latest collab was a clear next step.
With Dj Mish and Simen Sez sonically curating the mood for the evening, musicians Duckwrth and Ashley Imani mingled among the crowd as they indulged in a spread from the Cali-classic Burger She Wrote menu. At the same time, models The Polio Brothers and Cailin Russo joined in signing the souvenir soccer balls scattered around the venue, commemorating the new collab and a night spent recognizing the illustrious history of Los Angeles.
As two brands that embody the essence of the city they call home, the new LA Galaxy x MENACE collab is a testament to the unrelenting nature of the West Coast, a spirit that seeks to continuously shock the world.
Shop the collab at Dignity Health Sports Park, home of the Galaxy, or at menacelosangeles.com.
